What does a Fit Learning assessment measure?

Fit Learning assessments measure foundational academic skills in reading, math, writing, and logic. Fit evaluates skills all the way back to kindergarten-level foundations, regardless of a student's current grade. Unlike most standardized tests, Fit assessments measure both accuracy and fluency — the rate at which a student can respond correctly — which is critical for identifying whether skills have been truly mastered or are still effortful and slow.

What assessment tools does Fit Learning use?

Fit Learning uses two standardized assessment platforms: AIMSweb, which provides curriculum-based measurement in math computation, math concepts and application, spelling, oral reading fluency, silent reading comprehension, creative writing, tests of early literacy, and tests of early numeracy; and CUBED, which assesses reading and listening comprehension.

Are Fit Learning assessments diagnostic? Can they identify learning disabilities?

Fit Learning assessments are not diagnostic in nature and do not identify or diagnose learning disabilities or other conditions. They are designed to identify foundational skill gaps, benchmark academic performance, and inform individualized learning plans. Families seeking a formal diagnosis for conditions such as dyslexia or ADHD should consult a licensed evaluator.

What happens after the intake assessment?

After the intake assessment, families meet with Lab Director Janice Smith, who walks through the results using easy-to-understand charts, tables, and graphs. She explains the student's strengths and skill gaps and outlines how Fit Learning would address them through an individualized program. There is no obligation to enroll after the assessment — the results alone provide valuable insights that families can share with teachers, school teams, or use to inform IEP goals.

How is Fit Learning's assessment approach different from traditional tutoring?

Most tutoring services focus on current homework or classroom content, but Fit Learning evaluates foundational skills all the way back to kindergarten to find the root cause of academic difficulties. Fit also assesses for fluency, not just accuracy, and continues collecting real-time performance data throughout every instructional session. This allows learning coaches to adjust instruction immediately based on what each student has mastered and where they need more support.

How quickly do students see results after starting at Fit Learning?

Fit learners average 30 percentile rank gains on standardized tests within a single enrollment, achieved in the same number of instructional minutes that children typically receive at school in one week. On average, students see 1-2 years of academic growth in as little as 40 hours of instruction.

Individualized Learning Assessments in St. Louis, MO

Fit’s comprehensive learning assessments identify a student’s strengths and pinpoint the foundational skill gaps that may be holding them back, giving parents the clarity they need to move forward with confidence.

At Fit Learning St. Louis, we recognize that each child’s learning journey is unique. That’s why we rely on a science-based approach to accelerate learning and produce lasting results. It all starts with a comprehensive skills assessment in a core subject area like reading, math, writing, or logic. This in-depth evaluation helps us pinpoint your child’s strengths and skill gaps, allowing us to create a personalized, data-driven learning plan.

But assessment doesn’t stop there — our ongoing, real-time evaluation ensures that instruction is continuously adjusted based on your child’s progress. This dynamic, research-supported method is what makes Fit Learning so effective at transforming struggling learners into confident, high-performing students.

Note: While Fit Learning’s assessments provide a deep understanding of children’s academic strengths and areas for growth, they are not diagnostic in nature. Our evaluations do not diagnose learning disabilities or other conditions. Rather, they serve as a powerful tool to identify skill gaps, track progress, and create an individualized learning plan to accelerate academic success.

Fit Learning Provides Comprehensive Assessments

Fit will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that measures your child’s strengths and areas for growth in a specific academic subject. This in-depth process helps uncover foundational skill gaps that may be holding your child back. Once the assessment is complete, you’ll meet with our Lab Director, Janice Smith, who will walk you through the results. She’ll clearly explain the findings, supported by easy-to-understand tables, charts, and graphs, so you’ll have a clear picture of your child’s academic needs and how we can help.

Standardized Assessment Tools Used

At Fit, we use norm-referenced measurements, which are widely used, research-based assessment methods. They measure a learner’s ability in a given area, while also comparing that individual learner’s performance to that of their peers. In other words, they provide a view into how that learner performs relative to others of the same age or grade. (Some commonly used norm-referenced assessments that you’re probably familiar with are the ACT, SAT, and IQ tests.)

One type of norm-referenced measurement we use is curriculum-based measurement (CBM). Fit cofounder Kimberly Berens discusses this in her book Blind Spots. She writes, “CBM is a national assessment method with over 30 years of research supporting its reliability and validity in predicting long-term academic success.” More information on curriculum-based measurement can be found at the Reading Rockets article What Is Curriculum-Based Measurement and What Does It Mean to My Child.

We use CBM to assess learners in the areas of math, reading, writing, spelling, and – in the case of Lil Fits – early literacy and numeracy skills. Some of the specific CBM tests include the following.

The Math-CAP (or M-CAP) CBM evaluates a learner’s understanding of concepts and applications in math, or their language-based math skills.
The Math-COMP (or M-COMP) CBM assesses a learner’s computation skills and ability to solve math algorithms.
The MAZE-CBM assesses a learner’s silent reading comprehension and word recognition.
The Oral Reading CBM assesses a learner’s oral reading fluency.

In the outcomes graphs shown on the Results page and elsewhere on the website, we’ve used the AIMSweb platform to chart the CBM data and view how student performance stacks up to national percentile ranks.

Besides CBM and AimsWeb, we also use the CUBED reading assessment tool. The CUBED platform evaluates reading comprehension using three parameters: the learner’s ability to comprehend written language, understand oral/listening language, and decode language. More information is available at the Language Dynamics Group’s CUBED Assessment Overview.

The use of norm-referenced measurements allows us to effectively track student learning – over time, as compared to their own past performance, and also as compared to peers. This data drives instructional decision-making and goal setting. It also helps to make Fit coaching sessions particularly focused and efficient.

For examples of how the results of these tests look when mapped out, see our Results page. And, for more on our use of data to monitor progress, check out the blog post on Why Isn’t 100% Good Enough?.

Fit’s Approach to Assessment is Unique

What sets Fit’s intake assessment apart is its thoroughness. Even for older students, we evaluate foundational skills all the way back to kindergarten. Unlike traditional tutors who focus only on current struggles, we identify the underlying skills that were never fully mastered. This is critical because where or when academic difficulties show up isn’t always where the root of the problem lies.

Also, unlike other standardized testing, Fit’s assessment doesn’t just measure percent correct. We also assess for frequency, or rate, which is key when measuring a learner’s overall fluency in a given skill. (Fluency training is what we do here at Fit Learning. A fluent student responds accurately, but also quickly and without having to stop and think it through. Once the skills have become second nature, the learner is ready to successfully tackle more advanced material.)

Ongoing, Continuous Assessment Occurs Throughout Fit Learning Sessions

Importantly, assessment at Fit Learning doesn’t end after the intake evaluation. During every session, our certified learning coaches collect and analyze data in real time, tracking your child’s progress on a moment-to-moment basis. Here’s why that matters.

Immediate Adaptation

Fit learning coaches use the latest assessment data to instantly adjust their instruction based on what skills your child has mastered and where they need more support. So, we make the most of each learning session by targeting instruction in just the right areas — there’s no “fluff.” That’s part of why Fit’s method is so quick, with learners seeing an average of 1-2 years’ growth in as little as 40 hours of instruction.

Precision Learning

Since coaches know exactly where students are in their understanding, no time is wasted on concepts that have already been learned, and extra time is dedicated to weak areas. Assessment is used to identify weak areas so that we most effectively remediate the root causes.

Accelerated Growth

The result of efficient, assessment-based instruction is rapid skill mastery. In one enrollment, Fit learners average 30 percentile rank gains on standardized tests measuring the learner’s functional grade-level. And, it’s done in the same number of instructional minutes that children receive at school in one week. For more information on Fit’s learning outcomes, check out our Results webpage.

Fit’s Use of Assessment is Key to Our Approach … and Results

Our robust, evidence-based approach to assessment provides several key benefits.

Benchmarking

Standardized tests are particularly valuable tools for assessing learning because they are based on consistent standards and established grade level benchmarks. This provides an objective measure of your child’s performance and understanding. In contrast, report cards and grades can be more subjective, often influenced by factors like effort, participation, attendance, and grade inflation. More information is available in our blog post Beyond Report Cards: How to Really Know if Your Child is Learning.

Customized Learning Plans

Every Fit learner receives an individualized curriculum based on their evolving needs, ensuring efficient and targeted instruction. This personalized approach is not only effective, but it also keeps children engaged and boosts their confidence when we celebrate their “personal bests” achievements.

Informed Decision-Making

Even if you choose not to continue with Fit Learning, the initial assessment alone provides valuable insights into your child’s academic strengths and challenges. The data you receive is likely unlike anything provided by the school and can be instrumental in shaping your child’s pathway forward.

Knowledge is Power

We understand that committing to a tutoring program is a significant decision. That’s why there is no obligation to continue with Fit Learning after the initial assessment. Regardless of whether you proceed with our tutoring program, you will walk away with a comprehensive understanding of your child’s academic abilities and the knowledge needed to make the best decisions for their education. You are free to share the assessment results with your child’s teachers or educational team, as the data can help inform IEP goals and curriculum plans.

What Happens After the Assessment

You’ll meet with Lab Director Janice Smith to review the results — walked through with easy-to-understand tables, charts, and graphs. You’ll receive a detailed written report and personalized recommendations.

There’s no obligation to enroll. Many families use the assessment data on its own, or share it with their child’s teachers or IEP team. If you decide to move forward with tutoring, you’ll complete a brief intake form and your child will be added to the waitlist — sessions run 50 minutes, four to five times a week, with a typical enrollment taking 10-13 weeks.

Set Up a Fit Assessment for Your Learner

If you’re concerned about your child’s academic progress or simply want a clearer picture of their abilities, Fit Learning’s academic evaluation process is an excellent starting point. Contact us today to schedule the initial assessment and take the first step toward unlocking your child’s full potential.

At Fit Learning St. Louis, we’re committed to transforming education through data-driven instruction, real-time assessment, and a passion for helping every learner achieve mastery. Let’s unlock your child’s potential together!

Fit Learning Assessments